Latest news with #Aryabhata
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Science
- The Hindu
From The Hindu, June 2, 1975: Space programme not hit by snags in Aryabhata
Madras, June 1: The Indian space satellite programme would not be affected because of the difficulties experienced in the functioning of Aryabhata, Prof. Satish Dhawan, Chairman, Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), said here to-day. Prof. Dhawan said that the malfunctioning of some of the equipment on board the Aryabhata was due to the failure of the 'power transistor' system. The fault was detected by the ISRO scientists after careful scrutiny of the material received by Mission Control at Bangalore. These scientists were now working round the clock studying the possibility of reviving the experiments. Even such 'drastic steps' like sending electronic pulses to activate the instruments abroad the satellite were being considered. But it was too early to say whether 'we will succeed in this task,' Prof. Dhawan said. Tracing the initial difficulties encountered by the satellite immediately after it was launched, he said even after a few orbits, it started 'tumbling' and did not 'spin' as expected. The satellite was made of non-magnetic material but even then there was some drag on it, thereby slowing it down. The latest information was that it was normal and orbiting according to the programme, he said.
Time of India
06-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
The Troika: Focused R&D, energy sovereignty and values
Imagine a world without zero. No binary code, no computing, and certainly no AI. The concept of zero, first formalised by Brahmagupta in 7th century India, was a philosophical breakthrough that enabled progress in fields from astronomy to finance and computer science. From Aryabhata's calculations of π to CV Raman's Nobel-winning work, India has a deep legacy of scientific inquiry and innovation, which continues today as Indian-origin talent fuels the global tech economy — leading AI breakthroughs, powering innovation at top firms, and shaping the digital world. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack Pakistan's economy has much more to lose than India's due to the ongoing tensions, warns Moody's Ratings The day Pakistan got the power to poke India FM Sitharaman meets ADB chief and Italian FM, discusses economic issues; no mention of Pakistan Now, as the world enters the Era of Intelligence, India faces an urgent need to harness this legacy for its own advancement. The race for dominance is accelerating, with the US and China investing heavily to secure long-term advantage across chips, talent, and data. India's opportunity lies in seizing the boldest leapfrog bets—those with the power to redefine global paradigms. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Fort-de-france Modular Homes: See Prices Mobile Homes | Search ads Undo Focused R&D R&D is the primary battleground of the Intelligence Era. To build global competitiveness, supply chain resilience, and national security, India must focus its R&D on critical domains. Live Events Biotechnology will redefine healthcare, agriculture, and climate resilience. Building sovereign capabilities in synthetic biology, precision medicine, and bio-manufacturing will be critical to food and health security—and to reducing reliance on global supply chains. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories Advanced materials are the backbone of next-generation semiconductors, aerospace, defence, and clean energy. Controlling these innovations will be essential to decoupling from vulnerable supply chains and achieving strategic self-reliance in critical sectors, including electronics and defence. Quantum computing and communications will be foundational to the next era of encryption, cybersecurity, financial systems, and scientific modeling. Early leadership is essential to safeguarding national security infrastructure and setting new global standards—before others do. In the next 10 years, we must move from value-chain participation to value-chain creation—disrupting chokepoints and setting new rules for global competition. Energy Sovereignty AI may run on data, but it thrives on energy. As adoption accelerates, electricity demand from data centres and AI supercomputing is expected to double by 2026. Energy is now a strategic asset—central to digital power and economic leadership. India, with over 200 GW of renewable capacity and a 2030 target of 500 GW, is well-positioned to lead. The`19,744 crore National Green Hydrogen Mission is a bold step toward making India a global hub for green hydrogen. If executed with ambition, India could become in this century what oil-rich nations were in the last: the bedrock of global energy ecosystems. Strategic investments in green hydrogen, battery storage, smart grids, and next-gen renewables will make India the destination of choice for energy-intensive industries—from semiconductor fabs and AI clusters to quantum labs and advanced manufacturing. Human-Centric AI India's most profound contribution to the Intelligence Era may not lie just in its technological prowess but in its values. As the world races toward hyper-automation, India must lead with a human-centric AI vision—one that augments, not replaces; empowers, not exploits; and keeps people, not machines, at the heart of progress. AI should be harnessed to solve India's most pressing challenges: boosting agricultural productivity, bridging learning gaps, democratizing access to quality healthcare, and building climate resilience. We are walking the talk with the India AI Mission, but India must go further—and shape global governance frameworks rooted in our values dignity, inclusion, and equity.
The Hindu
29-04-2025
- Science
- The Hindu
K. Kasturirangan (1940–2025): Architect of India's Space Programme and Education Policy Vision
Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan was a rare personality who contributed to diverse fields such as Indian space missions, national policy, environment, education, and institution-building. In Kasturirangan, we see an amalgamation of radiating passion, boundless energy and enthusiasm, and an inquisitive mind combined with an uncompromising quest to bring out the best in every initiative. He remained eager to learn new ideas, explore new areas, and take up challenging tasks across diverse fields throughout his life, while always appreciating achievements by giving due credit to teams, moulding individuals and programmes—and, above all, remaining a warm human being. It is not often that we come across a personality like Kasturirangan. The nation has lost a luminary. Fondly called 'Dr. Rangan', he belonged to the generation that witnessed the country's journey since Independence and grew along with it. With a burning desire to make the nation self-sufficient and a frontrunner in cutting-edge technology and scientific discovery, his contribution to space science programmes was unparalleled, beginning with the first Indian mission, Aryabhata, launched exactly 50 years ago. Trained in basic sciences, his journey from the Physical Research Laboratory to the highest position in the Indian Space Research Organisation was exemplary. His areas of interest included high-energy astrophysics, X-ray astronomy, and astronomical instrumentation, and he was keen to attract the best talent in the world to India to set up futuristic experiments. While becoming Chairman of the Indian Space Research Organisation might seem the culmination of an exemplary career spanning three and a half decades, for Rangan, it was only the beginning of a new phase of pursuit. He transformed himself from the leader of critical space missions to a policymaker, leading the committee for the conservation of the Western Ghats and subsequently the committee that drafted the National Education Policy 2020. He also served the country as a member of the Rajya Sabha. Kasturirangan personified the belief that age is just a number when it comes to new learning, new fields, and new challenges. Also Read | M.S. Swaminathan (1925-2023): A truly human life dedicated to science and society He contributed to the growth of many academic and educational institutions in the country in various ways. His guidance to several top institutions, such as the Indian Institute of Science and Jawaharlal Nehru University, reflected his passion for scientific and academic pursuits. He provided his guidance and support to almost all the institutions in the areas of astronomy, astrophysics, and space sciences by heading their governing boards. He nurtured the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital, for a long time, starting with its formation. Under his leadership, ARIES set up the largest telescopes in the country—the 3.4-metre telescope, the 4-metre liquid mirror telescope, and the ST radar facilities. Most of the major facilities in these fields benefited from his valuable guidance. Until recently, he chaired the governing board of the Inter-University Centre for Astronomy and Astrophysics (IUCAA). He also chaired the governing council of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics when the Institute was constructing the Ultra-Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT) for the AstroSat mission. His leadership was crucial to the successful fabrication of UVIT, including the setting up of the space science laboratory where UVIT was integrated. This laboratory went on to integrate and deliver the VELC instrument on board the Aditya-L1 mission and currently supports several space start-ups in their payload testing. The first Indian space observatory, AstroSat, took shape under his guidance, and he personally monitored the scientific, technical, and managerial aspects of the project. He co-authored an article summarising the five-year scientific achievements of the AstroSat mission. An academician at heart, he maintained an unwavering and uncompromising approach to scientific pursuits. His energy and enthusiasm for discussing scientific topics with a passion for pushing the boundaries of understanding were unparalleled. I have had several experiences where a 10-minute discussion with him would leave me with so many thought-provoking ideas—enough to ponder over for months. He had a characteristic style of narrating situations and naturally highlighting the most critical aspects. His push to maximise scientific returns from various instruments led to the success of missions such as AstroSat, the Chandrayaan series, and Aditya-L1. With the passing of Rangan, the scientific community has lost a passionate and enthusiastic mentor. His vision for India He believed in 'Make in India' and pushed for the nation to become self-reliant in critical technologies. A visionary, he planned many futuristic missions that helped develop capacity building in the country. His hallmark was ensuring that each mission contributed to building capacity in critical technologies, alongside achieving impactful scientific output. He was a keen supporter of the Thirty Metre Telescope project and was determined that India should develop the technical know-how required. He was particularly keen for India to contribute major hardware to the project and thereby master segmented mirror technology. He was very happy to witness the setting up of a large mirror fabrication facility in India, at the Hosakote campus of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics. Rangan's contribution to the nation also included his leadership of science academies and scientific societies. He was a Fellow of the Indian Academy of Sciences, Bengaluru, and served as its President from 2003 to 2005. He was a Fellow and former President of the National Academy of Sciences, India (NASI), and a Fellow of the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and the World Academy of Sciences (TWAS). He also headed the Astronomical Society of India as its President from 1995 to 1997. He was a member of several national and international scientific societies. Rangan was a rare combination of scientist and technologist, who could lead both ISRO and India's premier scientific academies with distinction. He provided significant leadership support to two innovative institutions. He nurtured and promoted multidisciplinary research and enhanced the visibility of the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS). He also served as Chairman of the Karnataka Knowledge Commission (KKC), which aimed to promote a knowledge society and enhance excellence in the education system. As part of the process of framing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, he carried out extensive discussions and brainstorming sessions with a wide range of stakeholders, educationists, and academicians. His exemplary, lifelong career—larger than life in many ways—is presented in the book Space and Beyond: Professional Voyage of Dr. K. Kasturirangan, edited by B.N. Suresh, which offers a glimpse into the vast contributions he made to the country. That all of this was achieved in a single human lifetime is almost unimaginable and speaks volumes about his akshayapatra of energy, enthusiasm, and drive for excellence. Rangan published more than 200 research papers in national and international journals and edited six books. Among the many honours he received were the Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Award for Engineering Sciences and the national honours of Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan for his scientific and technological contributions. Also Read | Remembering Ratan, the noble businessman When Rangan was Chair of the Governing Council of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), I was editing the Annual Report as a junior faculty member and had the opportunity to present it to him. He called me aside and explained the purpose and intended audience of the report, convincing me to make it more appealing to a wider readership. Later, I had several discussions with him about the scientific discoveries from the Ultra-Violet Imaging Telescope (UVIT), for which I served as the calibration scientist. He was always keen to understand not only the technical details of the work but also the broader impact of the results—not even a single minute with him went unutilised. Recently, I was thrilled to receive a letter from him personally congratulating me on being selected for the Vigyan Shri award for 2024 in space sciences and technology. Krishnaswamy Kasturirangan has left behind a monumental legacy and has set very high standards. He will be missed by numerous organisations, academicians, educationists, policymakers, and the list goes on. Many of us will surely miss the intense conversations with him, which acted as boosters to our own scientific pursuits. There are countless lessons he provided for us to learn and imbibe in our journeys. The nation has lost an illustrious and visionary space scientist—one who truly conquered space and beyond. Annapurni Subramaniam is a Indian astrophysicist and the current Director of the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA)
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Remembering K Kasturirangan: The man with Midas touch who put India in a higher orbit
Bengaluru: In the annals of India's space odyssey, few names shimmer with the quiet brilliance of K Kasturirangan . A man of towering intellect and understated charisma, he helmed the Indian Space Research Organisation ( Isro ) during one of its most transformative decades — leaving behind a legacy so flawless that insiders still whisper of 'Kasturirangan Magic'. Quite simply, nothing he touched ever failed. From the early Aryabhata days to the dawn of planetary exploration, Kasturirangan's journey mirrors the evolution of India's space ambitions. But it was during his stint as Isro chairman from 1994 to 2003 that the organisation truly transitioned from experimentation to operational excellence. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru "Every launch vehicle or satellite that became operational during his tenure — PSLV, GSLV, the remote-sensing satellites — bore his stamp of methodical brilliance," recalled Dr BN Suresh, a former Isro scientist. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Senior Living 1 & 2 BHK Homes from ₹ 73.99 Lakh* TVS Emerald Serene Springs Book Now Undo "...He ensured they matured from developmental stages to reliable platforms. And remarkably, there wasn't a single failure. That speaks to his meticulous eye and strategic foresight," said Suresh, who edited Kasturirangan's book 'Space & Beyond' that chronicles his life. Indeed, his leadership saw the PSLV emerge as India's workhorse launcher. It was under him that India launched its first oceanographic satellite, IRS-P4, and also demonstrated the capability to launch multiple satellites in one go — laying the groundwork for Isro's future commercial clout. Kasturirangan also pushed India's Earth Observation (EO) capabilities to new heights. As project director of the Indian Remote Sensing satellites in the 1980s, and later as Isro chairman, he shepherded the EO programme to global prominence. Under his leadership, Isro began supplying high-quality EO data to the international market, firmly establishing India as a credible player. Taking Isro global But his impact wasn't just technical. As chairman of Antrix Corporation, Isro's commercial arm, he opened the floodgates to foreign partnerships. Be it leasing satellite transponders or launching Korean and German payloads on Indian rockets, he saw in Isro not just a science agency but a strategic enterprise. "He took Isro global. He brought in the first meaningful international revenues and helped the world see India as a dependable launch partner," said BR Guruprasad, another former Isro scientist. "The phrase we coined then still holds: Kasturirangan Magic." He also laid the groundwork for future missions — getting approvals for Chandrayaan-1 and Astrosat before demitting office. Former Isro chief K Sivan perhaps put it best: "He was a scientist, a visionary, and above all, a leader par excellence. Isro soared under his watch." To this day, those within the agency regard his tenure with a kind of reverence. No failures. Only milestones. That was the Kasturirangan era — a golden chapter of Indian spaceflight. QUOTES He was a scientist, a visionary, and above all, a leader par excellence. Isro soared under his watch. His support of leaders like Prof Dhawan and Prof UR Rao in building India's space programme, and later his leadership in encouraging colleagues to propel it further, will always be remembered — K Sivan | former Isro chairman ------ …He had a profound influence on all of us in Isro. It leaves a vacuum in the community of technocrats and thinkers whose voice is heard by all. I join in the sorrow of the Isro family and all who admired him — S Somanath | former Isro Chairman ------ Deeply saddened by the passing of Dr K Kasturirangan, a visionary scientist and a guiding force behind India's space programme. His contributions to Isro and Indian science will be remembered for generations. Heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones — Jitendra Singh | Union minister
New Indian Express
25-04-2025
- Science
- New Indian Express
Goldfinger who was a hero: ISRO saw success after success with Kasturirangan at the helm
O Chairman! My Chairman! You could tweak Walt Whitman's stirring lament a tad and encapsulate why the makes this a truly sad Friday for me. The former chairman of ISRO was more than a friend to me, at all times. There was a saying within ISRO that Dr Kasturirangan was a person with golden fingers. We have lost that golden touch and much more. The first time I met Dr Kasturirangan was at the Physical Research Laboratory, Ahmedabad, in 1967, immediately after I joined the Thumba Equatorial Rocket Launching Station. He was a research scholar at the Physical Research Laboratory then, and we were staying together at a hostel there for several weeks. That was how our association began. When he took over as chairman of ISRO in 1994 after UR Rao's departure, I served under him for all the nine years of his tenure. This was in various capacities -- as Director of Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre, Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre, as Project Director for PSLV, etc. We were therefore intimately connected professionally, and the mutual discussions and interactions I had with him were highly beneficial. He rose to the helm of ISRO just after the failure of the first Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle in 1993. It was a herculean task to recover from that and ensure a successful mission as quickly as possible. But then again this was Dr Kasturirangan we are talking about. Under his leadership, in 1994 itself, we were able to achieve the first successful launch of the Polar Satellite Launch Vehicle. And since then, we have never had to look back. Almost all the PSLV launches were successful. Whatever he touched, was a success. After completing his PhD, he initially joined the ISRO Satellite Centre at Bangalore, working on projects like Aryabhata, our first-ever satellite, and Bhaskara. Later, he was a key figure in developing the first Indian Remote Sensing satellite, IRS-1A, which was launched from Russia. Eventually, this IRS series was launched, using PSLV. There were dozens of successful missions, both launch vehicle and satellites, during the nine years under his leadership. As a leader, he focused on motivating team members, and providing the right kind of technical guidance. This led to success after success. That is how he came to be known as the chairman with golden fingers. In earlier stages, during Satish Dhawan's time, it was more about infrastructure building and technology initiation. During UR Rao's time, it was the ordeal of technology development and demonstration. Without any foreign help, developing sophisticated technologies for launch vehicles or satellites was a huge challenge. During this process, we encountered a few failures. But ISRO had developed the habit of learning from these failures and correcting mistakes to avoid repetition. This culture really helped us. Looking back, the foundation built by Professor Dhawan and Professor Rao was crucial in building the future development course of ISRO. Dr Kasturirangan truly benefited from this legacy. Remarkable handling of the infamous spy case He was heading the organisation when in 1994. The way he handled the situation was remarkable. Without getting into the limelight, he silently managed the situation. First, he ensured that there was no leakage of any technical information from ISRO to outside agencies. Then he worked with the Prime Minister at the time, Narasimha Rao, and brought in the CBI to look into all aspects and quash the false allegations raised against ISRO scientists. Not only that, he ensured there was no demoralisation in the organisation, which can often happen during such crises. As a result, the third PSLV launch was made within a year, after the so-called spy scandal. He also played a major role in the management of the cryogenic contract with Russia. Initially, it was supposed to involve technology transfer but due to the geopolitical situation and the breakup of the Soviet Union, it was denied. This led to the responsibility of developing cryogenic technology in the country falling upon ISRO. Under his leadership, ISRO took the initiative of establishing various test facilities for it and developed the first indigenous cryogenic engine. Gentle giant who believed in science helping the common man One of his significant contributions was the application of satellite technology for the benefit of the common man. Earth observation satellite data was widely used for agriculture, forestry, water resources management, fisheries development, and assessing damage during severe events like cyclones or heavy rainfall. This helped the nation implement several practical projects providing advance warnings about weather events, managing water resources, and even forecasting agricultural yields, using remote sensing. He believed in using satellite technology for development and implemented many programmes, in cooperation with various central and state government departments. As a person, he was very gentle, soft-spoken, and analytical. In case of an issue, he would go through it himself in fine detail to ensure no mistakes were made at the design or implementation stages. When it came to fund utilisation, he was extremely careful and made sure there was no wasteful expenditure in the organisation. He was always there with the working teams at ISRO's various labs across the country, motivating people, listening to their problems, ensuring relief for those in need, and encouraging those who were sometimes depressed by failures during the developmental stages. Post-ISRO years: Big NEP contribution and Western Ghats After leaving ISRO, he played a significant role in the Planning Commission as a member, and also served one term as a Member of the Rajya Sabha. After his tenure as a parliamentarian, Dr Kasturirangan played a very major role in giving future direction to the education system in the country, as the chairman of the NEP commission. This report is now being taken up by the Centre for implementation. It stresses the need for identifying talents at a young age itself and laying focus on developing the talents of each individual, as per their abilities. It also provides a flexible scheme for continuing higher education so that the financial burden of higher education can be managed effectively. This is a unique scheme and it's going to revolutionize the entire education system in the country. As far as Kerala is concerned, what is still remembered is the Western Ghats Environmental Impact Assessment Report. Earlier, Dr Gadgil had submitted a detailed assessment about the resources in the Western Ghats and how they had to be protected. But there were many practical issues. Dr Kasturirangan carefully analysed the situation using satellite images, interacted with various stakeholders and brought out the Kasturirangan Report, parts of which have been implemented to safeguard our prestigious natural resources in the Western Ghats. He was a great scientist, a highly practical individual, a social scientist and above all, a very fine human being. It is a great loss for the nation. (The author is former Chairman, ISRO)
